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Mission Statement

The Jersey Shore Partnership is a non-profit advocate of initiatives that are unique and important to the Jersey Shore coastal communities with an emphasis on shore protection and beach replenishment. The Partnership takes an active role in New Jersey’s economy including tourism, coastal resources, vital infrastructure, education and emergency preparedness.

History of Successful Advocacy

The Jersey Shore Partnership stands as the state’s leading advocate and champion of beach replenishment and restoration to protect our coastline — a natural treasure, a major contributor to the state’s tourism industry, and a favorite destination for fun and relaxation.

The Jersey Shore Partnership was created as a result of the 1991devastating Halloween storm with the mission to guarantee that state and federal funding would be available to protect New Jersey’s 127 miles of coastal shoreline from the damages that storms can inflict. The Partnership is dedicated to raising the awareness of state and federal officials and the public to the need for safeguarding the shoreline through beach restoration and other shore protection methods.

The Partnership’s first successful advocacy effort resulted in the enactment of an annual $15 million dedicated Shore protection fund in 1992, the first such legislation to be passed in the nation. In 1998, that amount was increased to $25 million, where it stands today. This unprecedented legislation, created the opportunity to advance a cost-sharing partnership with the Federal government that typically has provided 65% of federal funding for beach replenishment projects with the local share at 35%. Of that local share, the State matches 75% to the receiving municipality’s share of 25% of the match cost or roughly 9 cents on the dollar of the total project cost. This cost-sharing partnership has enabled the state to safeguard its shoreline through beach restoration, re-nourishment and ongoing maintenance management.

However, experience from Sandy tells us that future costs of mitigation will be more complex and expensive. Successful resiliency projects must include the impact of coastal storm surges on the bays, streams, lakes and rivers that are impacted by coastal storms and cause severe flooding. More Sandy-like storms are anticipated as a result of sea level rise and global warming. The Partnership has legislation before the New Jersey Senate and Assembly seeking an annual increase in the Shore Protection Fund from $25 million to $50 million.